100 Days Project Scotland

Aim

Creativity is for everyone, regardless of age or ability; this project gives a framework, and the permission, to be creative. Help us grow!

Empowering & Celebrating Creativity. Connection & Community. Mental Health & Wellbeing. 100 Days... 

This project aims to raise funding to support the annual celebratory show as it moves online in response to the pandemic; creating digital spaces to celebrate with and meet other community members; and to empower and engage people in daily creativity. 

To get digital tools and support for the participants in place, we are aiming for a target of £4000. The more we can raise, the better the we can support the current community, and widen participation by sharing the positive gains of the project with more and more people. 

My name is Isla Munro and I head up the '100 Days Project Scotland'; a project which gives anyone, regardless of age or ability, the framework and permission to get creative.  It challenges you to pick your creative outlet and relies on your willingness to work to achieve a creative boost. 

I have been building this project here in Scotland since 2017 and have loved sharing the many stories of how helpful the project is in developing peoples creative practice, or starting one; how supportive the community is; how many people enjoy the exhibitions; and how daily practice can help mental health. Now I hope to keep it going, make it even better, and support more people; to do this I need your help. 

With your support the '100 Days Project Scotland' can continue to grow as an inclusive creative community; empowering people to get creative, encouraging, and broadening access to creative engagement, whilst ensuring I am able to continue the creative mentoring, community building, and project running role.

So, who am I? 

I am an Edinburgh based designer and educator, and a general keen-bean about all things creative. I have been working in the creative industries for almost 20 years, and have taught at Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art, where I am a Senior Teaching Fellow within the School of Design.

I believe in the power of creativity; for fun, for self-expression, as a catalyst for learning new skills, for improving our mental-health and wellbeing, and connecting with other likeminded people. All of these things are made possible through this project, which is why I love it so much. 

The Challenge

This past year, as a society, we have faced and still are facing unprecedented global challenges. There are so many amazing people taking care of us and helping keep each other safe; I am so very grateful. 

Creative practice is important to me for many reasons, but one is that it is very good for my mental health; and hearing the positive feedback from project participants over the last few years tells me I am not alone in this. 

The 2020 project took this to a whole new level seeing over 270 people sign up to take part, and I have heard so many wonderful stories of creativity, connection, community, and joy, that I want to build this project and allow more people access to those opportunities. 

Why is funding important? 

It was a tough year, and I was frustrated to not able to find time, energy, or money as I had managed in previous years. Up until now, I have run the 100 Days Project Scotland as a passion project. However, it is hugely time-consuming, and with more and more people wanting to get involved (which is brilliant!) and increasing costs, websites, exhibitions and more, I’m hoping to make it more of a formal piece of work. To do this, I realised I would need to think differently this year (as so many of us are); exploring funding and ways to create time, space, and security to allow me to concentrate on this project.  Building a community, through shared daily creative practice, who encourage and inspire one another, is one of the most rewarding aspects of running this project which I am so passionate about. 

How it all started...

The '100 Days Project Scotland' started in 2018 after I took part in the New Zealand based '100 Days Project' the previous year. Emma Rogan started the NZ project in 2011 after reading about a class called ‘100 Days of Design’ – run by Michael Bierut at Yale School of Visual Arts, and over the 7 years she ran it, the project saw almost 5000 people take part.

The project was so enjoyable, at times challenging, and I loved it.  I organised a show to celebrate the efforts of me and my fellow participants here in Edinburgh, the UK and Europe, and it was great fun; on 'Day 103' the Edinburgh show opened with 22 participants showing their work, to over 120 attendees on the opening night.

In 2018 Emma Rogan took a well-earned break and with her enthusiastic endorsement I decided to support the wonderful creative community right here in Scotland, and to empower and encourage those who don’t yet think of themselves as creative, by starting the '100 Days Project Scotland'.

Why Crowdfunding this year? 

Since 2017, the highlight of the project has been the 'Day 100 Show'; an exhibition which gives everyone the chance to show their work, but more importantly celebrate their efforts as a community; for some participants, this is their first public exhibition. 

We have seen participants of all ages and stages; ranging from 6 year old Erin who drew dragons everyday (read an interview with her here), my older sister Sheila, who made pictures using crisp-packet triangles and her felt-tips (having barely drawn before the project), to Jonathan Gibbs who has been a practicing artist and printmaker for over 40 years. 

The 2019 show was a roaring success and celebrated the work of almost 60 participants, and the opening night sold out! The exhibition, which could only run for 4 days, inspired even more people to get involved and in 2020 the project saw over 270 people sign-up to the project. 

Due to COVID-19 we were not able to hold the 2020 exhibition and first goal for this Crowdfunder is to get this exhibition online, throw an awesome opening-night event online, and celebrate all the brilliant efforts of those 2020 participants. 

Moving online and how community can help fight social isolation

2020 was a tough year for so many people. Many participants said that the '100 Days Project Scotland' was a great way of not only keeping creative but engaging with a community. I was already aware of the mental health gains for many of our previous years' participants, and hearing from 2020 participants only supported that further; with so many commenting on how the project was integral to their wellbeing, combatted feelings of isolation, and bolstered confidence. 

I supported the '100 Days Project Scotland' community as best I could, with a few Zoom meet-ups and through social media; but I want to do this better and offer more, which means I need to be able to develop a sustainable model. 

What does 2021 hold, and how will this Crowdfunding support that activity? 

This year, with your help, I will;

• better support the existing community
• widen the participation and grow the community
• empower more people to get creative for the sheer joy of it
• spotlight the work, talents, and achievements of our growing community
• and celebrate the undeniable power of creativity to enhance our lives and the lives of others

I will be able to help people who want to get involved, but maybe don't know where to start by providing inspiring workshops and creative mentoring sessions. 

I will create more opportunities for meeting others from the community online, and in person when we are able to, by organising regular meet-ups. 

I will ensure that, as we bring the 2020 show online, there are no digital barriers and that I can support participants in getting their work digitised, provide skills development, and make the online opening night the best it can be.

With your support I will be able to cover the cost of the current website so it can remain online, and begin work on a website which will allow participants to share their work should they choose not to use social media (when Emma Rogan did this in New Zealand this cost around £10k. I am learning from Emma, who is generous with her experience, but specialists will need to be engaged). 

Rewards are a way to say thank you! 

If helping with the creativity community mission isn't enough, we've come up with a range of awesome rewards to say thank you (you can find these in full on the right). Some of them involve art, some beer, some materials, and so there's pictures below to help you make your choice. 

[Note about delivery: some rewards will be physically delivered/sent to supporters. If that's the case, please be careful to choose the right shipping options when pledging. If you are in Edinburgh the delivery is included in the price of the pledge. Some rewards, such as the Party Packs and Art Materials cannot be delivered outwith the UK due to the shipping costs - so please be mindful of this when choosing your rewards]. 

The awesome rewards include a mix of the following; 

• Artwork from previous participants
• Experiences and Events
• Party and Starter Packs

Any and all support is so appreciated; as such all pledges come with a giant thanks, and your name will be included on the supporters page on the website. 

Super Sponsors and Super-Duper Sponsors 

We are looking for like-minded partners who share our values to become Super and Super-Duper Sponsors. Please get in touch prior to pledging to discuss sponsorship, so we can have a chat about our shared values. 

Experiences 

1:1 sessions, workshops, meet the artists, and coffee dates are being offered by Isla Munro and several 100 Days Participants; 

• Jonathan Gibbs - Jonny's work encapsulates book illustration, drawing & painting, printmaking, editorial & pattern design. He exhibits regularly in London and Edinburgh and has been published in a variety of books, magazines, and printed artefacts as well as in digital formats and web design. Jonny taught at Edinburgh College of Art for almost 30 years.
• Vivian French - Vivian French has been writing books for children for thirty years. She’s also been a part time tutor in the Illustration department of ECA for more than ten years, and is co-founder of Picture Hooks, a mentoring scheme for emerging illustrators. In 2016 she was awarded an MBE for services to literature, literacy, illustrations and the arts, and in 2018 the Scottish Book Trust Outstanding Achievement Award.
• Emma Ready - During her 23 years of breaking, Emma Ready has established an international reputation as an inspirational, empathetic motivator who is both approachable and accessible. Her students describe her as a “treasure trove of information” and she's known for her clear, helpful and insightful approach to sharing knowledge. “A Rock Star for giving the type of quality answers that belong in a book!”
• Makiko Konishi - As a project participant Makiko found that it was a great turning point; "I learned new skills and pushed myself to give birth to new ideas every day for 100days and helped me build up my confidence to become a qualified Japanese origami instructor certified by the Nippon Origami Association".
• Dr Alison Mayne - a researcher and knit designer based in Central Scotland. Following her PhD, focused on textiles and wellbeing, she set up Knitrospective - a research informed knit design business.  Patterns include specific commissions for events and conferences and designs devoted to raising money for social justice charities as well as the Women in the Stacks collection - inspired by the first women librarians of iconic UK libraries.
• Jenni Colquhoun - the human behind the Illustrated Lab and a mad scientific illustrator. Jenni has a degree in animation, a masters in medical art, and "a genuine enthusiasm for knowledge so I can bring you carefully researched, fun and fascinating drawings for your everyday life. I’m here to bring wonder back to your everyday through my unashamedly blunt, enthusiastic and meticulous drawings".

100 Days Participant Artwork Rewards 

Several of the rewards include work from the 2020 participants. These images below show you what's on offer;

Cordula Marks-Venters - Original Dedicated Dinosaur Drawing!

You can choose the type of dinosaur Cordula draws for you, and she will sign and dedicate the work. These images show a sample of Cordula's work - she's fantastic! Her 2018 project was a dinosaur-a-day and likes them so much, she is currently working on an illustrated book about them. 

Cassandra Barron - Riso Prints of Botanical Prints from 2020 [GONE]

Cass is an amazing book binder, who got me hooked! Her botanical prints were inspired by the leaves she would collect on her walks in lockdown.

The two prints on offer are Grow and Thrive - these are both Risograph Prints, which are reproductions of the original hand printed artwork - there are two of each prints available.

Sarah Coomer Illustrations [GONE]

Below left image is "The Lantern Men of Wicken Fen" and the on the right is "O Whistle and I'll Come to You my Lad". 

'Live the life you love, love the life you live' - typochondriacs, 2020 [GONE] 

Gen Harrison created daily works in 2020, using letterpress, collograph and collage, and one of her pieces "I'll get around to it" is one of the possible mystery art postcards!   This original letterpress print pictured here, is also on offer.

Sarah Morton Originals 

Left is Day 1/100 in oil and pastels, and right is Day 10/100 in gouche, from her 2020 Project. Other drawings from Sarah's project are available in postcard form. 

Digital Illustrations by Alberto Sánchez Ballesteros

Alberto has been delighted by some of the actors actually engaging on social media, showing the love for his lovely digital illustrations. These are A5. 

Ruth Watt's beautiful paper-cut inspired digital prints

Ruth, or 'Ellie and the Rubester' as you may know her as on Instagram, has been a 100 Days Participant since 2017. Her paper-cut projects are always so incredible to witness, not only for the skilful cutting of beautiful visuals, but the wonderful themes. Ruth has very kindly donated some of her A4 and A5 prints. Please choose the right option when you pledge (there is only one of each available); 

A4 Prints - £17 (RRP £20) Another Girl Another Planet, True Love, and Self Love Club ('I Miss Your Lovely Face' has GONE) 

A5 Prints - £12 (RRP £15) I Will Be Your Ferdinand ('Tattooed Love' has GONE)

5 Postcard Packs

Mystery Art Postcard Pack - 5 mixed 100 Days Artwork

These quality postcard bundles come with a mix of art from 100 Days Project Scotland participants, a selection of possibilities which you can see here. There are some prints which are only available within the mystery packs, others are available in packs of 5 (see below). 

The following artists have all donated work for the postcard packs. Simply choose their name from the options menu when picking your reward; 

Bettina Nissen - '1 line, 100 Days' - Selected lines 5 Postcard Pack

These are selected sections of Bettina's continuous line, which she drew in response to each day - there were some ups and downs in 2020, and Bettina's lovely lines trace some of those feelings. 

Hannah Rose - 'A physicists sketchbook' 5 Postcard Packs

Hannah is a physicist and engineer who engages with oodles of creative things to keep her happy. These are drawings of some of her favourite things, some on lovely graph paper, including her take on an oscilloscope, the Dragon C2, a carburettor, the humble tractor, and the Atlas detector at CERN! 

Frances Douglas Watercolour Landscapes

Frances' work is so atmospheric. She managed to have an exhibition of her 2020, 100 Days Project, work (which I will talk about in a blog very soon); but lucky you, you get the chance to bag a set of postcards of her beautiful work! 

Isla Munro Imprint Artworks

Isla's project in 2019 was collecting plasticine imprints from the world around her, these were then cast in plaster, with the intention of producing prints from them in future work. For the 2020 project Isla chose a 2019 cast every two days; creating a print on the first day, and a drawing on the second. These are five of the drawings which came out of the 2020 project #islas100imprintartworks

Products and Packs

These products can be delivered for free if you are within Edinburgh, but if you are elsewhere in the UK please ensure to add postage (details in each reward). Apologies to those of you outwith the UK, but international delivery is not possible for these products. 

Rosemary Everett - #100boatflags Artist Book [GONE]

These gorgeous boat flag prints, some of the remnants from Rosemary's 2020 project, have been beautifully bound to create this artists book. For her 2020 project, Rosemary virtually explored the coast of Scotland, stopping at each port that registers fishing boats. Rosemary made ink drawings, collages, lino cuts and rubber stamped prints to illustrate the ports’ locations, registration letters, some signal flags and the Scottish sea areas from the Shipping Forecast. They were bound into four books. Instagram @everett_creates Ordinarily a piece like this would sell for £65.

Fiona Hendrie's Wild Garlic Print Bowl [GONE]

Fiona, known on Instagram as FeePotCeramics, created this nibble bowl inspired by the prints she was doing for her 2020 project. Featuring wild garlic imprints, this stoneware bowl is approx 21cm in diameter and perfect for nibbles!

Cheerful bird and floral plate by Karen Murray [GONE]

Karen, who shares a creative space with Fi Hendrie above, made ceramic spoons for last year project and has generously offered this lovely plate to support the crowdfunder. 

Waste Glass Landscape by Jessamy Kelly

Created with bottles collected during her 2020 project, Jess, Head of Glass at ECA, says "Landscapes are changing fast and this piece is a statement on the conceptual framework of the Anthropocene that states human activity has fundamentally influenced and changed our climate and environment". [This piece is 14 x 6.5 x 12cm and would normally sell for £200]

Opening Night Party Packs with Cross Borders Brewing

Our friends at Cross Borders have provided amazing beer for our events since 2017, and even though this year has been tough for the hospitality industry, they love being involved in the project so much, they have done us a deal and made up a couple of party pack offerings for supporters of this crowdfunder! 

Ordering either of the party packs gets you; 

• early entry to the opening night event, so you can chat with participants
• access to the online exhibition
• some 100 Days Participant artwork
• a 100 Days Project Scotland button badge
• and of course...beer!  

The Party Pack - 4 beers, and Cross Borders Glassware

The Brawest Party Pack - 6 cans of Braw, and 6 cans of Wee Braw with all the same 100 Days goodies!

Edinburgh Art Shop & 100 Days Project Scotland Art Material Starter Packs

The Edinburgh Art Shop (EAS) is a fantastic supplier of wonderful art materials! They have been supporting the creative community in Edinburgh with local home deliveries during the restrictions, and have teamed-up with the '100 Days Project Scotland' to put together a couple of starter kits. 

Check out the rewards section to find out more about the "Lino Printing Starter Kit" and the "Watercolour Pencils Starter Kit".  Both kits come with essential art supplies, as well as access to an online "how to" video by Isla Munro, a £5 discount voucher (when you spend £25) in the shop, some 100 Days Project Scotland goodies including art, and an EAS tote bag to carry it all in! 

What's the timeline?

This Crowdfunder launched on the 22nd March, and runs for 4 weeks. Once we hit our target (fingers crossed!) this will give us 4 weeks to get the 2020 show online prior to the opening night. 

The hope is that the online events surrounding the show, such as the opening night celebrations, 'meet the artist' sessions, panel discussions, talks, participant meetups, and creative mentoring sessions to get everyone inspired for 2021, will bring us up to the start of, and into the first half of, the 2021 project.

How can you help? 

You can support this Corwdfunder by; 

• Donating any amount you can afford; we have a variety of rewards to choose from - some are limited, so get in quick, so you don't miss out! You can mix and match the rewards that appeal to you, or of course, donate without rewards if you like. 
• Share this crowdfunder project with your friends, family, and people you think would enjoy getting involved

Thank you for reading this far and for sticking with us. Have fun, and be creative however and whenever you can, because you can! 

This project successfully funded on 19th April 2021